93 year old man crashes car into Wal-Mart store.

[edbermac]

BOSTON - A 93-year-old man drove his car into the entrance of a Wal-Mart in Danvers today, injuring a mother and the one-year-old baby girl she was pushing in a stroller. A preliminary investigation suggested the driver had stepped on the gas when he meant to step on the brake, police said.

The man drove into the Wal-Mart off Andover Street at 9:59 a.m. He refused treatment, but his 90-year-old wife, who was in the passenger seat, was taken to the hospital as a precaution. The mother and child were also taken to hospitals. Three other people were also transported because of the shock of the accident. None of the injuries were life-threatening, said Deputy Fire Chief Kevin Farrell said.

Police Sergeant Robert Bettencourt said the man and his wife were looking for a parking spot when his Toyota Camry crashed into the store. He said preliminary investigation indicated the driver mistakenly hit the gas pedal when he was trying to push the brakes. "We were fortunate that there weren't more injuries," said Bettencourt, a department spokesman. "Considering the time of day, 10 in the morning, they're very busy around that time."

The car narrowly squeezed through concrete posts meant to keep cars from getting into the entrance, authorities said.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/06/mother_and_baby.html

A 93 year old has a license to drive??? :wtf:

[NJmaverick]

1. These sort of accidents happen way too often

as there is little done to ensure that senior drivers are still fit to drive.

[Dr. Strange]

2. Based on my rudimentary understanding of the motor vehicle laws...

I believe the Wal-Mart had the right-of-way.

[NJmaverick]

3. Unless the store is closed

[Dr. Strange]

4. In which case, the driver is guilty of trespass...

and subject to removal of his license and one toenail of his choosing.

[Ikonoklast]

5. Nope. Wal Mart was turning right.

They always turn right, and never yield.

[scheming daemons]

6. After the age of 70, drivers should have to YEARLY be re-tested

Don't give me the "age-ism" argument.

One's reflexes, eyesight, and dexterity start to go very quickly when one gets older. At 93, I don't care how physically "fit" the guy is... his reflexes and coordination are NOT going to be good enough any more.


Drivers over 80 years old are more dangerous than teenagers. And that's pretty dangerous.

[Deja Q]

7. A new drive-in window for those low-low prices. Save money. Live better...

Because wal-mart's insurance policy probably has them raking in the dough for cases like this...

[CreekDog]

8. I wonder how the greeter handled that one

:wtf:

[Javaman]

9. Okay, so suppose he did find the brake, that means he would have slammed on the brake.

since he floored the gas.

And he made it through the concrete posts.

My personal limit is 75. Once I hit that, I turn in my license.